USDA confirms second New World screwworm case in Texas, heightening outbreak fears
Federal agriculture officials have confirmed a second U.S. case of New World screwworm in Texas, raising alarm among ranchers and beef producers worried the parasite could spread farther across the state and beyond. The latest detection comes days after USDA first confirmed the pest in a Texas calf in Zavala County, according to the agency and reporting from Bloomberg.
USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service said the first confirmed case involved a 3-week-old calf with larvae found in its umbilical area, and officials said there had been no further detections at the time of that announcement. The parasite, which is known for infesting living tissue, is a long-feared threat to livestock operations and a major concern for cattle country.
Bloomberg reported that the second confirmation has intensified fears of a broader outbreak that could affect the U.S. beef business. On Texas ranches, the return of screwworm has revived memories of a pest that had been largely absent for years, according to Bloomberg’s earlier reporting on the worries spreading through ranching communities.
The USDA has said it is working with animal health officials to protect livestock and wildlife, and earlier responses included quarantine and movement controls around the affected area. Those measures are meant to slow the parasite’s spread while investigators determine whether there are additional cases.
The stakes are high because Texas is a major cattle state, and even a limited outbreak can disrupt animal movement, increase inspection costs, and put pressure on ranchers to monitor herds more closely. USDA has also stressed that screwworms do not infest meat, fruits, vegetables, or other food sources, underscoring that the immediate concern is animal health rather than the safety of the food supply.
What happens next will depend on whether the second case remains isolated or signals wider transmission. Federal and state officials are continuing surveillance, and ranchers are being urged to watch for suspicious wounds or maggots and report possible infestations quickly.